Meritain Health Podcast: COVID-19 and Pharmacy

Meritain Health Podcast: COVID-19 and Pharmacy
April 16, 2020 Lisa Winter
COVID-19 and pharmacy podcast

Our In The Booth podcast series is produced to provide you with valuable insights and fresh health care industry perspectives. Join our host, Bridgette Cassety, to stay current on what’s new and trending in the marketplace.

We are pleased to share a new podcast discussing Meritain Health’s response to COVID-19 and how pharmacy is impacted.

Key points include:

Utilization Patterns – We are tracking the utilization patterns of pharmacy as a result of COVID-19 from a holistic perspective around total cost of care.

Refill Too Soon edit relax – Members with active eligibility may obtain an early refill of their prescription medications if they have refills remaining on file at a participating retail or mail-order pharmacy. The refill obtained will stay consistent with the standard days’ supply previously filled by the member as allowed by their plan.

Prior Authorization (PA) Extension – extending PAs that are set to expire on or before June 30th for 90 days. This will apply to Formulary Exception and Clinical PA records; including Specialty. This will ensure continuation of critical drug therapies and eliminate the need for members to go to their prescribing physicians for prior authorization renewals.

Quantity limits – To address potential stockpiling, ensure proper utilization and to help address potential supply chain shortages, we have worked with our PBM partners to implement quantity limits on certain drugs. Quantity limits are designed to address safety and to ensure that the correct amounts of medications are dispensed.

Support– Meritain Pharmacy Solutions Service Management, Strategic Account Executive and Clinical Teams are on the front line and accessible to address any/all escalated issues related to member prescription issues.